KEY BISCAYNE, Fla., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Tom Kite shot a 4-under-par 68 Friday to take a one-stroke lead after one round of the Royal Caribbean Classic.
The 54-year-old Kite finished sixth on the Champions Tour money list last year, but he failed to win an event for the first time in his four seasons on the tour.
"I didn't play well the first part of last year," admitted Kite, whose last win was at the 2002 Senior Classic. "I didn't putt as well last year."
Kite took a step in the right direction Friday with a round that included six birdies and two bogeys. He sank a 19-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole and rebounded from hitting a 3-wood into the stands to post a birdie on the par-5 18th.
Gary Koch, Don Pooley, Bruce Fleisher, J.C. Snead and Bruce Summerhays were one shot off the pace.
